Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers and human rights activist, has strongly disagreed with Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, over his assertion that the UN does not interfere in the internal affairs of member states or investigate domestic security incidents. Lakemfa argues that the UN has repeatedly intervened in Nigeria and other countries, citing the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, UN resolutions on Libya, South Africa's apartheid suspension, and the Kimberley Process on blood diamonds.
Background: Makinde's call for UN probe
The controversy began when Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde called on international bodies, including the United Nations, to investigate the 56-day abduction of 39 pupils and six teachers in the state. Makinde stated: "Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institution. Rather, it is intended to reinforce public confidence that the truth will be established and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence or affiliation, will be held accountable." He added: "This is not about politics. It is about justice for the victims, reassurance for our people, and restoring public confidence that every Nigerian child can go to school without fear."
The Tinubu administration and the Senate criticized Makinde's call. Presidency spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said: "It is just unfortunate that Mr. Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential candidate now, doesn't have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate."
Jimoh Ibrahim's position
Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim declared: "The United Nations does not interfere in the internal affairs of its member states. It is not an institution established to investigate domestic security incidents. Security within a country's territory remains the primary responsibility of the government at all levels."
Lakemfa's rebuttal
Lakemfa counters that the UN does interfere when it considers necessary, citing several examples. In June 2026, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, conducted an eleven-day enquiry in Nigeria. Lakemfa also points to the 2005 UN Responsibility To Protect (R2P) resolution, which in paragraph 138 declares it the duty of a state "to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity." Paragraph 139 states that if a state fails in that responsibility, it passes on to the UN, which can use military force under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Under Article 41, the UN Security Council can impose sanctions. Article 42 states: "Should the Security Council consider that measures provided for in Article 41 would be inadequate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security." This was used in UN Resolution 1973 of 2011, which imposed a no-fly zone and authorized bombing in Libya, leading to the fall of the Gaddafi government.
South Africa and blood diamonds
Lakemfa notes that despite the principle of non-intervention, the UN suspended South Africa on November 12, 1974, by a 91–22 vote margin due to its apartheid policy, calling on member states to end military and economic relations. He also warns that the UN can criminalize Nigerian oil if it fuels conflicts, citing the Kimberley Process that banned blood diamonds from Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is serving a 50-year sentence for crimes against humanity funded by blood diamonds.
Criticism of Jimoh Ibrahim
Lakemfa describes Jimoh as a non-career diplomat who knows little about the UN and should read its Charter, resolutions, and practices. He criticizes Jimoh for saying President Tinubu "generously agreed to attend the UNGA meeting," calling it an insult to Nigerians, as it is the President's duty to represent the country. Lakemfa urges Jimoh to listen to career diplomats at the UN and improve his performance in the interest of Nigeria and Africa.
